Interface for testing semiconductors

ABSTRACT

A system that includes an imaging device for effectively positioning a probe for testing a semiconductor wafer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/648,747, filed Jan. 31, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system that includes an imaging device for effectively positioning a probe for testing a semiconductor wafer.

Processing semiconductor wafers include processes which form a large number of devices within and on the surface of the semiconductor wafer (hereinafter referred to simply as “wafer”). After fabrication these devices are typically subjected to various electrical tests and characterizations. In some cases the electrical tests characterize the operation of circuitry and in other cases characterize the semiconductor process. By characterizing the circuitry and devices thereon the yield of the semiconductor process may be increased.

In many cases a probe station, such as those available from Cascade Microtech, Inc., are used to perform the characterization of the semiconductor process. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a probe station comprises a base 10 (shown partially) which supports a platen 12 through a number of jacks 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d which selectively raise and lower the platen vertically relative to the base by a small increment (approximately one-tenth of an inch) for purposes to be described hereafter. Also supported by the base 10 of the probe station is a motorized positioner 16 having a rectangular plunger 18 which supports a movable chuck assembly 20 for supporting a wafer or other test device. The chuck assembly 20 passes freely through a large aperture 22 in the platen 12 which permits the chuck assembly to be moved independently of the platen by the positioner 16 along X, Y and Z axes, i.e., horizontally along two mutually-perpendicular axes X and Y, and vertically along the Z axis. Likewise, the platen 12, when moved vertically by the jacks 14, moves independently of the chuck assembly 20 and the positioner 16.

Mounted atop the platen 12 are multiple individual probe positioners such as 24 (only one of which is shown), each having an extending member 26 to which is mounted a probe holder 28 which in turn supports a respective probe 30 for contacting wafers and other test devices mounted atop the chuck assembly 20. The probe positioner 24 has micrometer adjustments 34, 36 and 38 for adjusting the position of the probe holder 28, and thus the probe 30, along the X, Y and Z axes, respectively, relative to the chuck assembly 20. The Z axis is exemplary of what is referred to herein loosely as the “axis of approach” between the probe holder 28 and the chuck assembly 20, although directions of approach which are neither vertical nor linear, along which the probe tip and wafer or other test device are brought into contact with each other, are also intended to be included within the meaning of the term “axis of approach.” A further micrometer adjustment 40 adjustably tilts the probe holder 28 to adjust planarity of the probe with respect to the wafer or other test device supported by the chuck assembly 20. As many as twelve individual probe positioners 24, each supporting a respective probe, may be arranged on the platen 12 around the chuck assembly 20 so as to converge radially toward the chuck assembly similarly to the spokes of a wheel. With such an arrangement, each individual positioner 24 can independently adjust its respective probe in the X, Y and Z directions, while the jacks 14 can be actuated to raise or lower the platen 12 and thus all of the positioners 24 and their respective probes in unison.

An environment control enclosure is composed of an upper box portion 42 rigidly attached to the platen 12, and a lower box portion 44 rigidly attached to the base 10. Both portions are made of steel or other suitable electrically conductive material to provide EMI shielding. To accommodate the small vertical movement between the two box portions 42 and 44 when the jacks 14 are actuated to raise or lower the platen 12, an electrically conductive resilient foam gasket 46, preferably composed of silver or carbon-impregnated silicone, is interposed peripherally at their mating juncture at the front of the enclosure and between the lower portion 44 and the platen 12 so that an EMI, substantially hermetic, and light seal are all maintained despite relative vertical movement between the two box portions 42 and 44. Even though the upper box portion 42 is rigidly attached to the platen 12, a similar gasket 47 is preferably interposed between the portion 42 and the top of the platen to maximize sealing.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the top of the upper box portion 42 comprises an octagonal steel box 48 having eight side panels such as 49 a and 49 b through which the extending members 26 of the respective probe positioners 24 can penetrate movably. Each panel comprises a hollow housing in which a respective sheet 50 of resilient foam, which may be similar to the above-identified gasket material, is placed. Slits such as 52 are partially cut vertically in the foam in alignment with slots 54 formed in the inner and outer surfaces of each panel housing, through which a respective extending member 26 of a respective probe positioner 24 can pass movably. The slitted foam permits X, Y and Z movement of the extending members 26 of each probe positioner, while maintaining the EMI, substantially hermetic, and light seal provided by the enclosure. In four of the panels, to enable a greater range of X and Y movement, the foam sheet 50 is sandwiched between a pair of steel plates 55 having slots 54 therein, such plates being slidable transversely within the panel housing through a range of movement encompassed by larger slots 56 in the inner and outer surfaces of the panel housing.

Atop the octagonal box 48, a circular viewing aperture 58 is provided, having a recessed circular transparent sealing window 60 therein. A bracket 62 holds an apertured sliding shutter 64 to selectively permit or prevent the passage of light through the window. A stereoscope (not shown) connected to a CRT monitor can be placed above the window to provide a magnified display of the wafer or other test device and the probe tip for proper probe placement during set-up or operation. Alternatively, the window 60 can be removed and a microscope lens (not shown) surrounded by a foam gasket can be inserted through the viewing aperture 58 with the foam providing EMI, hermetic and light sealing. The upper box portion 42 of the environment control enclosure also includes a hinged steel door 68 which pivots outwardly about the pivot axis of a hinge 70 as shown in FIG. 2A. The hinge biases the door downwardly toward the top of the upper box portion 42 so that it forms a tight, overlapping, sliding peripheral seal 68 a with the top of the upper box portion. When the door is open, and the chuck assembly 20 is moved by the positioner 16 beneath the door opening as shown in FIG. 2A, the chuck assembly is accessible for loading and unloading.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sealing integrity of the enclosure is likewise maintained throughout positioning movements by the motorized positioner 16 due to the provision of a series of four sealing plates 72, 74, 76 and 78 stacked slidably atop one another. The sizes of the plates progress increasingly from the top to the bottom one, as do the respective sizes of the central apertures 72 a, 74 a, 76 a and 78 a formed in the respective plates 72, 74, 76 and 78, and the aperture 79 a formed in the bottom 44 a of the lower box portion 44. The central aperture 72 a in the top plate 72 mates closely around the bearing housing 18 a of the vertically-movable plunger 18. The next plate in the downward progression, plate 74, has an upwardly-projecting peripheral margin 74 b which limits the extent to which the plate 72 can slide across the top of the plate 74. The central aperture 74 a in the plate 74 is of a size to permit the positioner 16 to move the plunger 18 and its bearing housing 18 a transversely along the X and Y axes until the edge of the top plate 72 abuts against the margin 74 b of the plate 74. The size of the aperture 74 a is, however, too small to be uncovered by the top plate 72 when such abutment occurs, and therefore a seal is maintained between the plates 72 and 74 regardless of the movement of the plunger 18 and its bearing housing along the X and Y axes. Further movement of the plunger 18 and bearing housing in the direction of abutment of the plate 72 with the margin 74 b results in the sliding of the plate 74 toward the peripheral margin 76 b of the next underlying plate 76. Again, the central aperture 76 a in the plate 76 is large enough to permit abutment of the plate 74 with the margin 76 b, but small enough to prevent the plate 74 from uncovering the aperture 76 a, thereby likewise maintaining the seal between the plates 74 and 76. Still further movement of the plunger 18 and bearing housing in the same direction causes similar sliding of the plates 76 and 78 relative to their underlying plates into abutment with the margin 78 b and the side of the box portion 44, respectively, without the apertures 78 a and 79 a becoming uncovered. This combination of sliding plates and central apertures of progressively increasing size permits a full range of movement of the plunger 18 along the X and Y axes by the positioner 16, while maintaining the enclosure in a sealed condition despite such positioning movement. The EMI sealing provided by this structure is effective even with respect to the electric motors of the positioner 16, since they are located below the sliding plates.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the chuck assembly 20 is a modular construction usable either with or without an environment control enclosure. The plunger 18 supports an adjustment plate 79 which in turn supports first, second and third chuck assembly elements 80, 81 and 83, respectively, positioned at progressively greater distances from the probe(s) along the axis of approach. Element 83 is a conductive rectangular stage or shield 83 which detachably mounts conductive elements 80 and 81 of circular shape. The element 80 has a planar upwardly-facing wafer-supporting surface 82 having an array of vertical apertures 84 therein. These apertures communicate with respective chambers separated by O-rings 88, the chambers in turn being connected separately to different vacuum lines 90 a, 90 b, 90 c (FIG. 6) communicating through separately-controlled vacuum valves (not shown) with a source of vacuum. The respective vacuum lines selectively connect the respective chambers and their apertures to the source of vacuum to hold the wafer, or alternatively isolate the apertures from the source of vacuum to release the wafer, in a conventional manner. The separate operability of the respective chambers and their corresponding apertures enables the chuck to hold wafers of different diameters.

In addition to the circular elements 80 and 81, auxiliary chucks such as 92 and 94 are detachably mounted on the corners of the element 83 by screws (not shown) independently of the elements 80 and 81 for the purpose of supporting contact substrates and calibration substrates while a wafer or other test device is simultaneously supported by the element 80. Each auxiliary chuck 92, 94 has its own separate upwardly-facing planar surface 100, 102 respectively, in parallel relationship to the surface 82 of the element 80. Vacuum apertures 104 protrude through the surfaces 100 and 102 from communication with respective chambers within the body of each auxiliary chuck. Each of these chambers in turn communicates through a separate vacuum line and a separate independently-actuated vacuum valve (not shown) with a source of vacuum, each such valve selectively connecting or isolating the respective sets of apertures 104 with respect to the source of vacuum independently of the operation of the apertures 84 of the element 80, so as to selectively hold or release a contact substrate or calibration substrate located on the respective surfaces 100 and 102 independently of the wafer or other test device. An optional metal shield 106 may protrude upwardly from the edges of the element 83 to surround the other elements 80, 81 and the auxiliary chucks 92, 94.

All of the chuck assembly elements 80, 81 and 83, as well as the additional chuck assembly element 79, are electrically insulated from one another even though they are constructed of electrically conductive metal and interconnected detachably by metallic screws such as 96. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the electrical insulation results from the fact that, in addition to the resilient dielectric O-rings 88, dielectric spacers 85 and dielectric washers 86 are provided. These, coupled with the fact that the screws 96 pass through oversized apertures in the lower one of the two elements which each screw joins together thereby preventing electrical contact between the shank of the screw and the lower element, provide the desired insulation. As is apparent in FIG. 3, the dielectric spacers 85 extend over only minor portions of the opposing surface areas of the interconnected chuck assembly elements, thereby leaving air gaps between the opposing surfaces over major portions of their respective areas. Such air gaps minimize the dielectric constant in the spaces between the respective chuck assembly elements, thereby correspondingly minimizing the capacitance between them and the ability for electrical current to leak from one element to another. Preferably, the spacers and washers 85 and 86, respectively, are constructed of a material having the lowest possible dielectric constant consistent with high dimensional stability and high volume resistivity. A suitable material for the spacers and washers is glass epoxy, or acetyl homopolymer marketed under the trademark Delrin by E. I. DuPont.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the chuck assembly 20 also includes a pair of detachable electrical connector assemblies designated generally as 108 and 110, each having at least two conductive connector elements 108 a, 108 b and 110 a, 110 b, respectively, electrically insulated from each other, with the connector elements 108 b and 110 b preferably coaxially surrounding the connector elements 108 a and 110 a as guards therefor. If desired, the connector assemblies 108 and 110 can be triaxial in configuration so as to include respective outer shields 108 c, 110 c surrounding the respective connector elements 108 b and 110 b, as shown in FIG. 7. The outer shields 108 c and 110 c may, if desired, be connected electrically through a shielding box 112 and a connector supporting bracket 113 to the chuck assembly element 83, although such electrical connection is optional particularly in view of the surrounding EMI shielding enclosure 42, 44. In any case, the respective connector elements 108 a and 110 a are electrically connected in parallel to a connector plate 114 matingly and detachably connected along a curved contact surface 114 a by screws 114 b and 114 c to the curved edge of the chuck assembly element 80. Conversely, the connector elements 108 b and 110 b are connected in parallel to a connector plate 116 similarly matingly connected detachably to element 81. The connector elements pass freely through a rectangular opening 112 a in the box 112, being electrically insulated from the box 112 and therefore from the element 83, as well as being electrically insulated from each other. Set screws such as 118 detachably fasten the connector elements to the respective connector plates 114 and 116.

Either coaxial or, as shown, triaxial cables 118 and 120 form portions of the respective detachable electrical connector assemblies 108 and 110, as do their respective triaxial detachable connectors 122 and 124 which penetrate a wall of the lower portion 44 of the environment control enclosure so that the outer shields of the triaxial connectors 122, 124 are electrically connected to the enclosure. Further triaxial cables 122 a, 124 a are detachably connectable to the connectors 122 and 124 from suitable test equipment such as a Hewlett-Packard 4142B modular DC source/monitor or a Hewlett-Packard 4284A precision LCR meter, depending upon the test application. If the cables 118 and 120 are merely coaxial cables or other types of cables having only two conductors, one conductor interconnects the inner (signal) connector element of a respective connector 122 or 124 with a respective connector element 108 a or 110 a, while the other conductor connects the intermediate (guard) connector element of a respective connector 122 or 124 with a respective connector element 108 b, 110 b. U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,609 discloses a probe station and chuck and is hereby incorporated by reference.

In order to position probes for testing semiconductors, typically on a conductive pad, a microscope may be used. The process for positioning the microscope on the semiconductor is time consuming and laborious. A wide angle field of view objective lens for the microscope is selected and installed. Then the probe is brought into the general field of view of the microscope with the semiconductor thereunder with the objective lens focused on the upper region of the probe. Hence, the upper region of the probe farther away from the probe tip is generally in focus. The lower regions of the probe and the probe tip are generally not in focus due to the limited depth of field of the objective lens. Also, at this point only the larger features of the semiconductor are discernable. The zoom of the microscope may be increased by the operator and the microscope shifted to focus on a further distant part of the probe which provides a narrower field of view so that a middle region of the microscope is in focus. Hence, the upper region of the probe and the probe tip region are generally not in focus when viewing the middle region of the probe due to the limited depth of field of the objective lens. Also, at this point smaller regions of the semiconductor are discernable. The zoom of the microscope may be increased by the operator and the microscope shifted to focus on the probe tip which provides an increasingly narrower field of view so that the probe tip region is generally in focus together with the corresponding devices under test. The lower regions of the probe and the upper regions of the probe are generally not in focus when viewing the probe tip region of the probe due to the limited depth of field of the objective lens.

While it would appear to be straightforward to position a probe tip on a desirable device under test, it turns out that this is a burdensome and difficult task. Often when zooming the microscope the probe goes out of focus and when the microscope is refocused the probe is not within the field of view. When this occurs there is a need to zoom out to a wider field of view and restart the process. Also, when there are several devices in close proximity to one another and a wide field of view is observed, it is difficult to discern which device under test the probe tip is actually proximate. As the microscope is zoomed and an increasingly narrow field of view it tends to be difficult to determine which device the probe is actually testing among a set of closely spaced devices. In many cases, the operator will desire to use a higher magnification microscope, which requires the microscope to be retracted, the objective lens changed, and the microscope moved back into position. Unfortunately, if any movement of the wafer relative to the probe occurs due to even slight vibration, the probe will not longer be in close alignment. Thus, the objective lens will typically be changed back to one with a lower magnification and the process started all over again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial front view of an exemplary embodiment of a wafer probe station constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the wafer probe station of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a partial top view of the wafer probe station of FIG. 1 with the enclosure door shown partially open.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectional and partially schematic front view of the probe station of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the sealing assembly where the motorized positioning mechanism extends through the bottom of the enclosure.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged top detail view taken along line 5A-5A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged top sectional view taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic top detail view of the chuck assembly, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a partially sectional front view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a probing system together with a microscope.

FIG. 9 illustrates a pattern of devices under test.

FIG. 10 illustrates a pattern of devices under test and a set of automatically populated windows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 8, a probing system may include a probing environment 200 having a support 202 for a wafer 204 together with a microscope 206. The microscope 206 preferably includes a single optical path 210 that passes through an objective lens 212. The optical path may pass through a first lens 214 which images the light from the device under test on a first imaging device 216, such as a charge coupled device. An optical splitting device 218 may be used to direct a portion 220 of the light from being imaged on the first imaging device 216. The light 220 may be reflected by a mirror 221 and pass through a second lens 222. An optical splitting device 226 and mirror 230 may be used to direct a portion 228 of the light being imaged on a second imaging device 224. Accordingly, the light from the second lens 222 images the light on a second imaging device 224. The light passing through the optical splitting device 226 passes through a lens 232 and is imaged on a third imaging device 234.

The first imaging device 216 images the device under test at a first magnification based upon the objective lens 212 and the first lens 214. Normally the first imaging device 216 images a relatively wide field of view. The second imaging device 224 images the device under test at a second magnification based upon the objective lens 212, the first lens 214, and the second lens 222. Normally the second imaging device 216 images a medium field of view, being of a greater magnification than the relatively wide field of view of the first imaging device 216. The third imaging device 234 images the device under test at a third magnification based upon the objective lens 212, the first lens 214, the second lens 222, and the third lens 232. Normally the third imaging device 234 images a narrow field of view, being of a greater magnification than the medium field of view of the second imaging device 224.

With a wide field of view for the first imaging device 216, the large features of the device under test may be observed. With the narrower field of view of the second imaging device 224, the smaller features of the device under test may be observed. With the increasingly narrower field of view of the third imaging device 234, the increasingly smaller features of the device under test may be observed. As it may be observed, the three imaging devices provide different fields of view of the same device. In some embodiments, three or more imaging devices may be used. In other embodiments, two or more imaging devices may be used. In yet other embodiments, a single imaging device may be used. In some cases, the microscope with a single imaging device may include mechanisms to provide variable magnification. Also, in some cases the microscope with a single imaging device may use all of the imaging sensor for the wide field of view, a smaller region of the imaging sensor for a narrower field of view, and so forth.

The microscope 206 includes an output 238 connected to a cable 240, such as a gigabit network cable. Each of the imaging devices 216, 224, 234, provides a video signal (comprising a sequence of sequential frames in most cases) to the cable 240. The multiple video signals in the cable 240 are preferably simultaneous video sequences captured as a series of frames from each of the respective imaging devices 216, 224, 234. In addition, the video signals are preferably simultaneously transmitted, albeit they may be multiplexed within the cable 240. In some embodiments the microscope 206 may have multiple outputs and multiple cables, with one for each imaging device and video signal, it is preferable that the microscope 206 includes a single output for the video signals.

The multiple video signals transmitted within the cable 240 are provided to a computing device 250. The input feeds in many cases are provided to a graphics card connected to an AGP interconnection or PCI interconnection. Accordingly, the computing device receives a plurality of simultaneous video streams. Each of the video streams may be graphically enhanced, as desired, such as by sharpening and using temporal analysis to enhance details. The three video feeds may be combined into a single composite video feed with a portion of each video feed being illustrated on the composite video feed and provided to a single display for presentation to the viewer. In this case, each of the viewers would be able to observe multiple video feeds on a single display. The video signal may likewise be provided to multiple different displays.

Referring to FIG. 9, it is desirable to view a region of the video 400 of the image that includes a set of probe pads 402 thereon. Typically, when using a probe card or one or more probes, a set of needles or contacts are arranged with a pattern matching that of the probe pads 402. Typically the operator aligns a needle with the one of the pads, such as the upper left pad 404. Then the operator aligns a needle with one of the other contacts, such as the lower right pad 406. Then the operator aligns the lower left needle 408 and the upper right needle 410. The operator may likewise align the central needles with an upper central pad 412 and a lower central pad 414. Between each alignment of the needles to the contact pads, the microscope is typically moved so that suitable observations may be observed. Unfortunately, the x, y, z, and theta adjustments of the probe card (or device under test) necessary to align one of the needles results in movement of one of the other needles to a potion off a previously aligned pad. Accordingly, each of the needles typically needs to be checked and re-checked several times in order to ensure proper alignment.

Referring to FIG. 10, to decrease the frustration with the alignment of the needles (or contacts) with the devices under test, the user may select a region including the devices under test by drawing a box 420 around the desired devices under test 402. The box 420 is preferably indicated by selecting a pair of opposing corners closely surrounding the devices under test 402. Based upon the box 420 an upper left region 422, a lower left region 428, an upper right region 420, and a lower right region 432 may be automatically selected free from user selection. These regions 420, 422, 428, and 432 are provided in respective larger windows so that the operator can more easily view the respective regions. The larger windows are likewise arranged in a manner consistent with the devices under test so that each region is more easily identified.

The needles of the probes or probe card can be aligned with the devices under test 402 while viewing the larger windows which easily illustrate the alignment of the probes without the need to move the microscope. In this manner, the operator can view the probes at all four corners.

In order to provide a greater indication of the angular relationship of the probe needles with respect to the alignment of the devices under test, it is preferable that the system provides indications of a central region, such as regions 424 and 430. In this manner, the operator can view the probes at all four corners and the central regions also.

The system may permit the user to modify the size and location of each of the regions 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432. Other configurations and selections may likewise be automatically populated, as desired. The video may originate with a single imaging device or may be displayed from multiple different imaging devices to achieve increased image quality. When operating the device, typically the probe needles comes into view in one or more of the windows. The user may adjust the x, y, z, and theta of the probe card so that the needles are aligned on the pads shown in the larger windows. In this manner, the user probe is effectively aligned without the need to move the microscope back and forth.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A probing system for a device under test comprising: (a) an objective lens sensing said device under test; (b) an imaging device sensing a first video sequence of said device under test; (c) providing a video signal to a display of said device under test; (d) an operator indicating a region of said video signal of devices under test and said system in response presenting an enlarged view of a plurality of portions of said device under test in a plurality of windows free from user input.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of windows includes at least four windows.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said windows are in a rectangular arrangement.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said operator indicating is a rectangular region.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said at least for windows are generally at the corners of said rectangular region.
 6. The system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of windows includes at lesat six windows.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein at least two of said windows are between respective pairs of the other windows.
 8. A method for displaying video for a probing system comprising: (a) receiving a video signal of a device under test; (b) presenting said video signal in a first window on a display; (c) an operator indicating a region of said video signal of devices under test and said system in response presenting an enlarged view of a plurality of portions of said device under test in a plurality of windows free from user input.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said plurality of windows includes at least four windows.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said windows are in a rectangular arrangement.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said operator indicating is a rectangular region.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least for windows are generally at the corners of said rectangular region.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein said plurality of windows includes at least six windows.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein at least two of said windows are between respective pairs of the other windows. 